The thing is, I have so many good reasons for procrastinating—really
good reasons! You see, my intent was to
make a blog post every two weeks or so, between our November class and our
February class. What I wanted to do was
keep your brains engaged- to some extent- in our “brain learning”- during our
long stretch of time apart. My intent
also, was that all of you could enter into a sort of “conversation” by making
at least two blog posts yourself during that time. (either original topics you want to share, or
responses to posts others have made.)
Early on, my “excuse” was that I didn’t have anything to
blog about. So I didn’t. During the last month however, I’ve seen so
many programs, articles, etc. that have to do with the brain---- news of the brain has been EVERYWHERE! So recently, my “excuse” has been that there was too
much to write about! Where would I
begin? AUGGGHHHH!
So now you know what I meant when, at the end of class in
November, I told you not to worry about being inundated with blog posts to read,
because I wasn’t that good of a blogger.
Well, that’s still my story. I'm a TERRIBLE blogger- and I'm trying to accept that fact about myself and stop feeling guilty about it.
Tonight, I find myself up against a deadline. (a procrastinator’s best friend) Tomorrow morning, I’ll be leaving for Napa,
California and the 2013 “Brainy Bunch Renewal.”
This is the networking group that I’ve told you about- facilitated by
Dr. Pat Wolfe. This year, 35 members
will attend and our guest speakers will be two neuroscientists who have studied
the effects of violence in the media, video-gaming, and technology- on the
adolescent brain. Pretty timely content,
eh?
My intent is to make a couple of blog posts this week- to
keep you abreast of what I’m learning.
Typically at these workshops, I return to my hotel room each evening excited
about telling someone- anyone- about what I’ve learned! I’ll do my best to use my Blog as a
reflection tool- as a way to capture my
thinking while it’s fresh--- and to “cement” what I’ve learned before it
escapes me. We’ll see how I do!
There have been so many “brain in the news” stories
lately!
Did any of you hear the news story last week about Junior Seau? He was the pro football player who- last May, at the age of 43- took his own life? An autopsy of Seau’s brain (done at the request of his family) recently revealed that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. The repeated concussions that football players (at all levels) often suffer, have been the topic of much study over the past several years. The link below will take you to an article about Seau and what Drs. have discovered about CTE. (When I played the video, the picture wasn’t clear- but the audio was perfect. So… if you’re interested in this “brain topic”, you may want to read the article and “listen to” the video.)
There have also been great pieces aired
on
·
* A groundbreaking new treatment for stroke
victims that significantly limits the long-term damage to the brain…
·
* Research studies that are implanting electrodes
into the motor cortex of the brains of amputees, allowing them to control their
prosthetic limbs with their thoughts… (AMAZING)
· *
A program developed by a guy named Greg Gage
that aims to bring introductory neuroscience into middle schools and high schools
across the country. (Google Backyard
Brains, or Neuroscience in a Box)
· * An MSNBC piece titled “More than Just a Game”- about the positive effects of gaming on the
brain
The Brain! It’s everywhere!
The other thing that I want to talk to
you about is what I’m learning about my OWN brain! In November, I took on a part-time job that I’m
absolutely loving: I’m designing
curriculum materials- in the form of on-line- learning modules- for teaching
newly hired drivetrain engineers and technicians at John Deere. Now… you may be wondering, ‘what does Julie
Crotty know about drivetrains?’ The
answer to that question would be “nothing”!
But I’m learning! I’m working
with two wonderful engineers, both of whom would have made fabulous teachers. They are feeding me the content, and I’m
packaging it into brain-friendly modules that will be more effective
(hopefully) in bringing new-hires up to speed.
So I’m getting a crash course in John Deere tractor lines, transmission
types, emission levels, controller hardware and software, and much more! In addition to doing this work for John Deere,
I’m making notes about how MY brain is learning this stuff. I’m trying to be very metacognitive about the
strategies I’m using- as I attempt to learn something that is as foreign to me
as anything could possibly be. The
amazing thing to me is, that I’m Doing it… and I’m loving every minute of
it.
More about this later. I’m anxious to
talk to you face to face about my “ahas”--- because what I’m finding is that I’m
utilizing specific strategies that ALL
teachers can teach to their students.
Actually, what I’m finding is that all of the brain-compatible
strategies that I’ve learned over the years really do work- for me- as a learner!
OK. I must finish packing my
suitcase! You’ll hear from me again
soon!
I've also been keeping up on the story of Junior Seau. It's scary to think this is a result of football- CTE.
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